Paddle With Us!

How do I get involved?

We're always looking for new members to join our friendly and growing Club! We run regular courses to introduce people to paddling, and this is our main point of entry to the Club. Once you've completed our Introductory Course, you'll have the basic skills to control the boat, and can come along on Club trips, join in on the regular paddles on Wedesdays and Sundays, and generally have fun on the water with us!

(Please note that the "open" beginner sessions we have offered in the past on Sunday mornings and Wednesdays are no longer running. All novice paddlers must attend one of our introductory courses).

How do I book a course?

All the courses are listed on our Calendar page. Choose a date that suits you, and click on the course to get to the sign-up form. Our courses consist of four weekly sessions of 2 hours each, and currently cost £60 for adults and £40 for children. (That's just £60/£40 for the whole course - not £60/£40 each session!) Click here to see a list of courses currently planned - if you can't find a date that suits you, get in touch and we'll do our best to accomodate.

What's the best course for families and children?

The Sunday courses are perfect for families and children (8 years and older) - it's warmer, and there are usually plenty of other children around to paddle with once the course is completed. Of course, if you can't make the Sunday sessions then the Wednesday sessions and other days are fine as well. A couple of our courses have age limits for various reasons (e.g. 14+), but these are clearly marked on the course booking page. (Unfortunately we can't take children any younger than 8 years old on any of our courses). We do occasionally run kids-only courses - please check the date page to see if we've any of these coming up.

Who can join the courses?

Anybody! We have taught paddlers from 8 to 80 years old (almost!), and also have facilities for disabled paddlers. Our Clubhouse has both male & female changing rooms (with warm showers), and we have a wide variety of equipment that can be borrowed. Please do get in touch if you have any questions. Our courses are great for families and children - the Sunday sessions tend to be best for younger paddlers. (Please note that a couple of our courses may have age limits (e.g. 14+) for various reasons - these will be described on the booking form if it applies).

What if I've paddled before?

Of course, if you're already a competent paddler, you're welcome to join in straight away - just pop down to one of our regular paddles on a Wednesday or Sunday and speak to one of our coaches. They'll take a quick look at your basic skills - paddling forward, backwards, turning and stopping - and then sign you off to join in with the paddle.

What about the "open" sessions that used to run?

The "open" beginner sessions we have offered in the past on Sunday mornings and Wednesdays are no longer running. All novice paddlers must attend one of our introductory courses. They're a lot of fun, and will teach you the basics of safely controlling the boat. Please do not "just turn up" to the Sunday or Wednesday sessions - we are unlikely to be able to take you out.

What about racing?

Maidstone Canoe Club has an active and successful racing team. If you're interested in getting involved in marathon or sprint racing, take a look at the racing team page and come and try it!

Who runs the courses?

All our courses are run by one of our friendly, fully-qualified coaches. They're all volunteers, and love to share their passion for paddlesport. Coaching at Maidstone Canoe Club is co-ordinated by our Coaching Development Group. Our senior coach is Paul Newman, a Level 5 Coach who has been involved in paddlesport up to National level for more than 40 years. Our coaches all have valid CRB checks and first aid qualifications, and participate in a programme of continual professional development, ensuring we are always delivering current best practice.

What do I need to bring?

Mostly, just enthusiasm and a good sense of humour! We provide boats and paddles, together with buoyancy aids and other safety equipment. We will be outdoors, so wear appropriate clothing for the weather, and please bring a change of clothes and a towel, just in case! Jeans are not appropriate as they really chafe when damp. More guidance can be found in our What to Wear document (pdf).